Essay On Morality In Beowulf

1237 Words3 Pages

What does it take to be an ethical human being? One might say that knowing the distinction between right and wrong is a major factor; however, on what scale should one measure morality? By which standards? These everyday morals are weighed by the majority’s vote, but the line separating wickedness and righteousness is blurred by the overlapping definitions. The truth is, there is no purity without sin. People are so accustomed to defining virtue as the opposite of evil that without evil, virtue would cease to exist. Although modern day society is accustomed to sympathizing with the “monster,” during the time of knights and kings, Grendel has the unlucky fate of being surrounded by a society that defines its purity by his wickedness. Grendel …show more content…

Even with a character such as Beowulf, who is meant to be the protagonist, characteristics that could be considered “non-heroic” are present. Beowulf is no stranger to gloating about himself. He even goes as far as to say “...the truth/ Is simple: no man swims in the sea/ As I can, no strength is a match for mine” (Raffel 251-254). Although he boasts and exaggerates the truth, the people of the kingdom overlook that because he is their hero. However, Beowulf has ulterior motives for saving the Danes. This “epic hero” is not saving the people from the kindness of his own heart, but rather for the glory of another victory. When one is given the title of a “hero” for barbaric acts and another is demonized for the same purpose, it becomes apparent that one’s role in society is determined by the preconceived idea of the …show more content…

Society needs a target, whether it be a person or a group of people, to point fingers at. All of Grendel’s actions are a result of being exactly what the people want and need: a monster. In the dragon’s words, “[Grendel is], so to speak, the brute existent by which [the humans] learn to define themselves,” (Gardner 62). This is where balance comes into play. Without Grendel, the people turn on one another and the hierarchy swings into full effect. Without the kingdom and it’s people, Grendel has nothing to observe and no use for his intelligence. Is Grendel portrayed in a way to gain the reader’s sympathy? Yes and no. He is displayed as human, which makes him relatable to the reader. On the other hand, it is easier to believe that monsters are the ones behind cruel acts but it is more demanding to digest that a person with the ability to choose his or her actions could do such diabolical deeds. However, when it comes to blaming the ones at fault for Grendel’s inhumanity, responsibility can fall in the lap of many, predominantly the humans who use Grendel instead of welcome him. Grendel is unknowingly persuaded to be the monster. He is given immunity to weapons by the dragon, he is singled out by the people, and he is cursed with the damned blood that courses through his veins. Testing his fate and acting on what the public expects

Show More
Related

  • Good vs. Evil in John Gardner's Grendel

    879 Words  | 2 Pages

    Good vs. Evil in John Gardner's Grendel? & nbsp; John Gardner's novel Grendel gives the reader a new perspective on the classic "good vs. Evil" plot.  From the start of the book the reader can tell that there is something very unique about the narrator.  It is evident that the narrator is a very observant being that can express himself in a very poetic manner.  The story is one the reader has most likely seen before, the battle between the glorious thanes and the "evil" beast.  In this case, however, the "beast" is the eyes and ears of the. reader.  This, of course, forces the reader to analyze situations in the book in the same way that Grendel does.  By using this viewpoint, author allows his readers to see the other side of the coin.  Therefore, Throughout the course of the novel the reader is able to understand how important to Grendel in defining the human. & nbsp;           Grendel's first encounter with the human beings that he literally defines is not a pleasant one.  After accidentally trapping himself in a tree he is discovered by a group of thanes out on patrol.  Grendel expresses absolutely no hostile intentions towards these "ridiculous" (ch. 2). pp.24) creatures that "moved by clicks." (ch.2, pp.24)  The thanes do not understand what Grendel is and are very uneasy about the whole situation.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is Not a Modern Day Hero

    986 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, although Beowulf possessed many heroic qualities he would not be considered a hero in today’s world. A hero varies from culture to culture. The Anglo-Saxon appreciated different things in a person that what do not we appreciate today. Many things have changed a lot with time, the requisites for being considered a hero have also changed. Today we do not like to solve problems with war. Pride and honor are not as important as the willingness one has to help others. Beowulf is not feeling that contact with people he doesn’t identify with them because he believes himself better, a part of a hero´s cycle is to be identified with the community. To be part

    Read More

  • Grendel And Beowulf: Humanizing The Monster

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    Grendel, as a character, has a much more complex identity than just a monster and a human. Some, such as Ruud, classify him as a mixture of three different characteristics, but alone, they tend to conflict with each other. By making the connection that Grendel represents immorality, the previous idea makes more sense, while simultaneously incorporating more aspects of the character into the analysis. In either case, Grendel represents much more than meets the eye, and provides a fascinating insight into

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Good And Evil In John Gardner's Grendel

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    As children, we were taught that good and evil were black and white terms. The fairy tales that our parents would read to us have conditioned us to believe that characters such as the princess in distress or the prince in shining armour were nothing but friendly and good, while the troll guarding his own bridge or the fire-breathing dragon were the most frighteningly evil creatures of all. However, as we grew up, we learned that these distinctions are never so easily black and white, but more-so different shades of grey. We learned that the characters that we initially deemed evil had reasons for acting that way, and most of them out of their control. Such is the case with the main character in John Gardner’s Grendel. The character Grendel

    Read More

  • Grendel's Argumentative Essay

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    Grendel is a classic hero versus villain story, but it’s written through the perspective of the “villain.” In Grendel, a novel by John Gardner, The main character and narrator Grendel watches and gives his input as society advances in many different ways such as divisions of class and war. The book Grendel can also be seen as a first-hand account of the ruinous effects of labels on a malleable-minded individual such as Grendel. In the novel Grendel, John Gardner uses characterization by using the villain archetype to convey the central idea that heavily enforced labels in society can be detrimental on an individual's natural and unique persona.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Hero in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    The character of Beowulf stands as a hero to the ancient Danes because of his actions. He is constantly being cited as a "war-chief" and a "gold-giver" (61). Beowulf has achieved fame through what he has done with his own hands. His identity as a leader is based upon the Danish society’s emphasis on personal action, as opposed to the delegation of responsibility through conscious thought. It is this very sense which spurs Beowulf to fight the dragon: "In my youth I engaged in many wars. Old guardian of the people, I shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame, if the evil-doer will come to me..." (59). Beowulf derives his power from a strong link to the past. Without his history of glorious deeds, he would see himself bereft of the very power which qualifies him to be a good King. Beowulf’s bravery never comes in to question, he does meet every challenge head-on, with deadly attention. The society which labels Beowulf as a legendary hero, recognizes his actions and his bravery as a integral part of his definition as a hero. Without the society to support th...

    Read More

  • The Characters Of Grendel's 'Loud In Beowulf'

    1328 Words  | 3 Pages

    {1} Grendel, it seems, actually didn’t have too much exposure to humans before the start of the poem. He “hunted the moors” (17), likely subsisting on animals he had killed. The reasons why he started killing humans aren’t entirely clear; he had “growled in pain, impatient / As day after day the music rang / Loud in that hall” (2-4). He could also come across as merely curious, as he was “wondering what the warriors would do in that hall” (31-32). This raises a noteworthy attribute of Grendel – though he is often animalistic, he frequently is described as thinking, wondering, or otherwise displaying a human-like nature. The humans think of him not as a raging beast, but as a calculating criminal. But how calculated were these crimes? Grendel doesn’t seem to have planned his war on Herot, especially not that first night. The statements “[Grendel’s] Thoughts were as quick as his greed of his claws” (35) and “delighted with his night’s slaughter” (40) give the

    Read More

  • Beowulf The Hero

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.

    Read More

  • Morally Ambiguous Character In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

    569 Words  | 2 Pages

    In John Gardner’s, Grendel, the main character, Grendel, is a morally ambiguous character. This is because although he does commit evil in killing the men, through his eyes he is doing good by riding the world of these men. Grendel chooses to kill many men in Herot which is view as immoral but according to Grendel this is his purpose and he is right by doing so. To the reader Grendel is morally ambiguous as we know the crimes he commits are wrong but in the end, the reader still is sympathetic towards Grendel. Grendel commits evil acts for the purpose of good deeds which is where the reader's sympathy becomes prevalent.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Heroism Essay

    975 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.

    Read More

  • Grendel Good Vs Evil Essay

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    Grendel, is John Gardner’s 1971 novel that is set in Fourth Century A.D. Gardner portrays Grendel as the visible monster, in that he is known by all the people as being a big scary murderer who is a descendent of Cain, and since most people are quick to judge this is how Grendel’s reputation began. Gardners’s use of good and evil in his novel shows that not all monsters are what you expect them to be, and sometimes they aren’t always the obvious culprit. Throughout his novel, Gardners’ use of evil shows that sometimes things can be misinterpreted, and his use of good shows that you don’t need to have a bad reputation or a scary face in order to be evil. This is why Grendels’ portrayal in the novel is hidden and why he isn’t the true monster.

    Read More

  • John Gardner's Grendel As An Anti-Hero

    501 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some of the greatest villains in literature are characters who have merely been misunderstood. While we are drawn to literary heroes and admire their strengths, we often forget to consider the point of view of their enemies. Many of these enemies also possess strengths that the reader does not realize. Along with traditional heroes, the villain in a story can be considered an anti-hero. In the story Grendel, by John Gardner, the reader is challenged to contemplate the thoughts and feelings of the anti-hero, Grendel. Exploring heroes like Beowulf, and anti-heroes like Grendel, and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, causes the reader to develop a better understanding of the relationship that exists between the characters and their society.

    Read More

  • Grendel Is Not Evil, By John Gardner

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many may contend that the novel’s main character, Grendel, is guilty of evil by virtue of his vile actions. However, Gardner’s description of Grendel’s resistance to evil impulses and capability of human emotions suggest that Grendel is simply responding to his environment. Furthermore, Gardner deftly accrues readers’ sympathies towards Grendel, making it difficult for the empathetic reader to condemn the monster ex officio. By forging connections between humanity and his protagonist, Gardner indicates that readers are equally as guilty of sin as Grendel. Through this implication, he insinuates that humans are unqualified to judge Grendel’s actions, and, perhaps, each other. After all, if Grendel can be called evil, can the same not be said of all of mankind? The novel’s ultimate truth seems to harken back to Tupac Shakur’s assertion that, “Only God can judge me,” (Tupac

    Read More

  • Beowulf: Grendel is Pure Evil

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    Grendel is the embodiment of all that is evil and dark. He is a descendant of Cain and like Cain is an outcast of society. He is doomed to roam in the shadows. He is always outside looking inside. He is an outside threat to the order of society and all that is good. His whole existence is grounded solely in the moral perversion to hate good simply because it is good.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf Essay - Qualities of a Hero

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. “Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...” (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.

    Read More

More about Essay On Morality In Beowulf

Open Document